General Manager - General Manager First Watch Employee Review

2.0
Sep 9, 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The food is absolutely unbelievable!

Cons

You literally work 60 hours a week. Inventory every other week. No room for vacation, family or heaven forbid you get sick. Forget managing, they can't keep cooks or dishwashers. Your shift is on the line or washing dishing and not being able to attend to manager duties. There is no quality of life because you're so exhausted after working a 12 hours day. District mangers are not supportive and throw it back on you because the store can't get back of the house staff. When they won't approve a competitive wage. They will literally hire anyone with a pulse to be a manager in training because at least they know with the "promise" of becoming a general manager right after the 10 week training... they have their back of the house cook/dishwasher help for the next 3 months and have no intention of moving the candidate forward. They hire managers/general managers who have NO CLUE about the First Watch way. These mangers bring their styles and rhetoric into their restaurants which absolutely conflicts with the FW 5 steps of service, and district turns a blind eye. The pay is absolutely ridiculous.

Explore other reviews about First Watch

5.0
Jul 5, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great Place with Great People

Cons

None really. Everyone was nice to work with and respectable

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First Watch Response
1w
Thanks for your 5-Star review. We’re so happy you chose First Watch as your employer and enjoy the environment and people you work with! Thanks again for the review – we appreciate you.
3.0
Jun 5, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The store is only open until 2:30 so you’re guaranteed your nights off. The menu is fairly easy to learn and the seasonal menu doesn’t change that often.

Cons

Could be my stores location, but we are constantly fighting for hours and tables. There’s not enough income for all here. And when it’s brought up to management they say it’s our “slow season” but turn around and hired three more servers. Also the meanest clientele that I have ever worked with. Very demanding with little patience, and either bad tips ($2-$4) or no tips at all. Especially on large parties. I have spoke to many employees who have worked 3+ years for the company and many of them want to leave. Too often those that don’t do their work are rewarded and it’s put on the shoulders of those that do.

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First Watch Response
1mo
We appreciate your feedback here. While we're glad you enjoy the daytime-only hours, it's helpful to understand your concerns too. If you wouldn't mind calling our anonymous employee hotline at 844-484-8963, we'd love to follow up and better understand and address your concerns where possible. Any feedback helps us, and we're grateful for yours.
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